Monday, October 5, 2009

Today's challenge

Today's challenge.....

My new joystick for using at work has arrived (to hopefully relieve the pain in my right arm) and I've brought it home to practise. I only work part time and there is always plenty to do, I wouldn't get it all done if I had to waste time getting to grips with this thing.

It's not too difficult to use, just have to keep my mind on what I'm doing. Which can be a challenge in itself!

Every morning last week I intended to leave for work early so I would have time to stop and take a photo of my favourite tree at this time of year. And every morning I forgot but this morning I actually remembered.

The first part of my journey to work each day is along a metal covered road that twists and turns, following a creek most of the way. I cross a few single lane bridges over little streams carrying water down out of the mountains into the main creek. The creek is in the middle of this photo, then turns and is hard up against the side of the road (more or less under the bank, out of sight).

As long as you don't mind driving on metal covered roads, it's a lovely drive and one I constantly enjoy. This tree looks wonderful in winter when it is leaf-less and there is a light fog. However, with the coming of spring I think it is enjoying its finest hour. It uplifts me every morning when I come around a corner and see it.

The tree looks very unusual and special. I have one on the road South from Napier that I photograph every time I can. Because I live in a place devoid of trees in Scotland I really appreciate being surrounded by them in New Zealand.

Pauline, do you know what kind of tree this is? It looks a lot like a young cottonwood from around here, but you're on the opposite side of the earth from me, and I don't know if you have cottonwoods down there.

Kent, I think this tree is called a lacewood, from the same family as the plane tree. I don't think it is native to NZ but my son thinks it is. I think some people call it a laceybark because it has flaking bark. They seem to like wet ground, there are a lot of them along the banks of the creek and in marshy areas. I believe their timber has been used for indoor furniture. The only cottonwoods I've heard of don't grow around here, I think they are found in a much, much colder part of the country.

Will let you know how I get on with the joystick, Jeanne.

Sorry, JarieLyn, I should have said which tree I was talking about but expected everyone to read my mind, as usual.

Can't imagine living without trees, GB!

And Adrian, if this joystick gets too much for me I will take myself for an imaginary helicopter ride with it. Anyone passing might be alarmed to hear me screaming, "Pull up, pull up!"